Southern highbush blueberry plant named ‘TH-1987’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  plant named ‘TH-1987’, characterized by a combination of early season ripening and flowering, large berries with good flavor, firmness, and scar; and a low chill requirement about 150 hours, or less, below about 45° F.

Botanical designation: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘TH-1987’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of southern highbush blueberry plant, botanically know as Vaccinium corymbosum, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘TH-1987’.

The new Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’ was first identified by the inventor in 2013 in Griffin, Ga. The new variety ‘TH-1987’ exhibits early season ripening and flowering. ‘TH-1987’ also produces large berries with good flavor, firmness, and scar compared to representative cultivars. It also has a low chill requirement of about 150 hours, or less, below about 45° F. when produced under typical low to mid chill production areas in temperate regions.

‘TH-1987’ originated from seeds collected from open-pollinated fruit of Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Snowchaser’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,503). The open-pollenated fruit were harvested from selection trial plots in 2010 by D. Scott NeSmith. The new ‘TH-1987’ has been tested in asexually propagated (by vegetative cuttings) plantings a research farm in Alapaha, Ga. since 2014 where it was established for testing and comparing to industry standards. In 2017, the variety was entered into preliminary trials with a cooperator in Mexico. Observations of the resulting ‘TH-1987’ progeny have shown that the unique features of this new Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’ are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium cultivar ‘TH-1987 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature, water and fertility levels, soil types, and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

‘TH-1987’ is being released for commercial usage. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of the new Vaccinium corymbosum cultivar named ‘TH-896’. In combination, these traits set ‘TH-896’ apart from all other existing varieties of southern highbush blueberry known to the inventors:

-   -   1. early season and begins ripening after the early variety         Georgia Dawn® (‘TH-819’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,696) in south         Georgia, but before ‘Rebel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,138);     -   2. has berries that are larger than Georgia Dawn® at Alapaha         (Table 1) and larger than its maternal parent ‘Snowchaser’;     -   3. produces berries that have a more aromatic flavor and better         sweet/acid flavor balance as compared to ‘Rebel’ (Table 1).     -   4. low chilling requirement of about 150 hours, or less, below         about 45° F. (based on comparison of flowering dates with those         of known standard cultivars).

No notable diseases or other pest problems have been observed for the new variety that are not also common for other varieties. The male parent is unknown, and as compared to maternal parent ‘Snowchaser’, the new ‘TH-1987’ has a lower chill requirement, of about 150 hours, or less, below about 45° F., when produced under typical low to mid chill production areas in temperate regions. Due to the very low chill requirement, ‘TH-1987’ flowers very early and requires frost protection for successful production in temperate regions.

Preliminary trials of ‘TH-1987’ in “no-chill” regions of lower latitude in Mexico have indicated it performs well as an evergreen or ever bearing variety. Finding varieties that produce well in such regions is a challenge, and observations have revealed that ‘TH-1987’ appears to have the potential to adapt to such conditions. Comparisons to commercial varieties Georgia Dawn® and ‘Rebel’ are provided in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1 Plant and fruit ratings for ‘TH-1987’ and standards at Alapaha, Ga. Data represents a 3-Year avg (2016, 2020 and 2021). Rating scales are based on a 1 to 10 score, with 1 being the least desirable and 10 being the most desirable. Plants evaluated in 2016 were established in 2014, and those evaluated in 2020 and 2021 were established in 2018. Georgia Dawn ® ‘Rebel’ ‘TH-1987’ Berry size 6.9 7.5 7.3 Berry scar 7.0 7.2 7.0 Berry color 7.0 7.2 7.0 Berry firmness 6.8 7.2 7.0 Berry flavor 7.2 6.0 7.0 Cropping 5.0 7.0 5.0 Plant vigor 8.0 7.8 7.8 Date of 50% Feb. 9 Feb. 15 Feb. 1 flowering Date of 50% Apr. 20 Apr. 25 Apr. 24 ripening Fruit development 69 69 82 period (days)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the colors of the new Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’. Photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in Alapaha, Ga. during different years.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts ‘TH-1987’ plants during flowering. Plants are 3 years old, and the photo was taken in February 2021 at Alapaha, Ga.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up of ‘TH-1987’ flowers. Photo was taken in February 2021 at Alapaha, Ga.

The photograph labeled FIG. 3 depicts mature plants of ‘TH-1987’ during fruit ripening. Plants are 3 years old, and the photo was taken in April 2021 at Alapaha, Ga.

The photograph labeled FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of ‘TH-1987’ fruit on the plant. Plants are 3 years old, and the photo was taken in April 2021 at Alapaha, Ga.

The photographs labeled FIGS. 5A-5B depict close-up views of ‘TH-1987’ fruit. FIG. 5A is a close-up view of fruit of ‘TH-1987’ in a human hand, and FIG. 5B shows a cross sectional view of the interior of the fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progeny grown in Alapaha and Griffin, Ga., and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomological characteristics of the subject blueberry clone. Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as practicable. Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Vaccinium corymbosum cultivar named ‘TH-1987’. Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as practicable. Data were collected between the years of 2016-2021 from a farm in Alapaha, Ga. from 3 to 4-year-old plants (planted in the field with supplemental irrigation). In this region, the long-term average annual low temperature ranges from about 54° F. to 58° F., and the average annual high temperature for the year ranges from about 78° F. to 82° F.

-   Botanical classification: Vaccinium corymbosum ‘TH-1987’.     -   -   Commercial classification.—Fruit-bearing shrub.         -   Parentage.—Originated from seeds collected from             open-pollinated fruit of ‘Snowchaser’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             19,503). -   Growth and propagation:     -   -   Propagation type.—Vegetative by softwood cuttings.         -   Growth rate.—Plant vigor is medium, canopy tends to stay             compact.         -   Root description.—Fibrous. -   Plant description:     -   -   Size.—About 1.2 to 1.4 m tall by about 4 years. The plant             crown, or base, is narrow, typically about 10 to 20 cm in             diameter. Upper portion of plant canopy reaches about 1.2 to             1.5 m in diameter by about 4 years.         -   Usage.—Primarily to be used as fresh fruit for shipping and             processing markets.         -   Growth habit.—Plant is compact with a mostly spreading             habit. Typically, there are 2 to 4 main canes arising from             the crown, with multiple branching of shoots within 10 to 15             cm of the soil surface from those canes.         -   Growth.—Plants are moderately vigorous, dense canopy.         -   Productivity.—High crop/yield potential. Yields of about 7             to 10 lbs per plant are possible on plants about 4-years old             or older grown under well fertilized and irrigated field             conditions with frost protection.         -   Cold hardiness.—Similar to other early southern highbush             varieties such as TH-819 Georgia Dawn® (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             24,696) and ‘Rebel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,138).         -   Disease resistance.—No exceptional disease resistance or             susceptibility observed. Typical for early season southern             highbush such as Georgia Dawn® and ‘Rebel’.         -   Chilling requirement.—Plants require 150 h or less, of             temperatures at or below 7 C to induce normal leafing and             flowering during the spring under conventional dormant             production systems. ‘TH-1987’ has also shown a strong             propensity for evergreen production with no chilling when             grown under lower latitude locations such as Mexico.         -   Leafing.—Plants tend to break sufficient leaf buds             simultaneously with, or shortly after, anthesis; however,             heavy fruit set can suppress leaf development in some years.         -   Canes.—Main cane base diameter about 15 to 25 mm, color most             near Grey 201B; two year old cane diameter about 10 to 15             mm, color transitioning from Yellow Green 145B to Greyed             Orange 166B; current season wood diameter about 4 to 8 mm,             color Yellow Green 145B.         -   Fruiting wood.—Moderate number of twigs about 10 to 15 cm in             length, with internode lengths of about 15 to 25 mm common. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf color.—Healthy mature leaves: top side of leaf color is             Green 137A, under side of leaf color is Yellow Green 138B.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, simple.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf margins.—Nearly entire.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate with moderate to heavy netting.         -   Leaf apices.—Broadly acute.         -   Leaf bases.—Acute.         -   Leaf dimensions.—Length: about 35 to 50 mm; width: about 25             to 30 mm.         -   Petioles.—Small, about 2.5 to 3.0 mm long, about 1.5 to 2.0             mm wide; Color: Yellow Green 145C.         -   Texture.—Leaf margins nearly smooth. Leaf surface (upper and             lower) glaucous. -   Flowers:     -   -   Date of 50% anthesis.—3-year average February 1 in southeast             Georgia.         -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.         -   Flower bud number.—High to very high, averaging about 4 to 8             buds per fruiting shoot.         -   Flowers per cluster.—About 5 to 8.         -   Flower fragrance.—None noticed.         -   Corolla color.—White NN155C once fully expanded (open); Red             Purple 62C can be observed in early stages of corolla             expansion, especially in cool springs.         -   Corolla length.—About 8.5 to 9.5 mm.         -   Corolla width.—About 6.5 to 7.5 mm.         -   Corolla aperture width.—About 3.0 to 3.5 mm.         -   Flower peduncle.—Length about 3.0 to 6.0 mm; Color: Green             138D; streaks of Greyed Purple 184C can be observed during             cool springs.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length about 3.0 to 3.5 mm; Color: Green             138D.         -   Calyx (with sepals).—Diameter: about 6.5 to 7.5 mm; Color:             sepals Green 138D; calyx center Green 138B.         -   Stamen.—Length: about 6.5 to 7.5 mm; number per flower:             about 10; filament color: Green White 157C.         -   Style.—Length: about 8.0 to 9.0 mm; Color: Yellow Green             145B.         -   Pistil.—Length: about 9.5 to 10.5 mm; ovary color: Green             138D.         -   Anther.—Length: about 3.5 to 4.5 mm; number: about 10;             Color: Greyed Orange 165B.         -   Pollen.—Abundance: medium; Color: Yellow White 158C.         -   Compatibility.—The cultivar has a moderate degree of             self-compatibility. -   Fruit:     -   -   Date of 50% maturity.—3-year average around April 24 in             southeast Georgia.         -   Fruit development period.—About 82 days in southeast             Georgia.         -   Berry color.—With wax Violet Blue 98D to 97B; with wax             removed Black 203C.         -   Berry flesh color.—Green White 157D to White 155C.         -   Berry surface wax abundance.—Medium to high.         -   Berry weight.—1st harvest: about 2.3 to 2.6 g; 2nd harvest             about 1.9 to 2.1 g.         -   Berry size.—Height from calyx to scar: about 14 to 16 mm;             diameter: about 15 to 17 mm.         -   Berry shape.—Nearly spherical shape.         -   Fruit stem scar.—Small, dry, with occasional tearing upon             harvest.         -   Calyx.—Depth shallow, about 1.0 to 2.0 mm; width medium,             about 3.0 to 5.0 mm; sepals often visible, usually erect             when present, about 1 mm or less.         -   Berry firmness.—Fair to good firmness.         -   Berry flavor and texture.—Texture smooth; only mildly sweet,             low acidity.         -   Storage quality.—Fair to good.         -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Not suitable.         -   Uses.—Primarily to be used as fresh fruit for shipping and             processing markets. -   Seed:     -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—High, with about 15 to 20 fully             developed seeds per berry.         -   Seed color.—Greyed Orange 165C.         -   Seed dry weight.—About 40 to 45 mg per 100 seed.         -   Seed size.—About 1.0 to 2.0 mm long. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-1987’ as illustrated and described herein. 